Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ even if....

Ken Rank said:

When one reaches a poor conclusion in their biblical studies, it is rarely a sign of an evil heart. Instead, it is generally a sign of one needing better teaching. Yet how often do we assign an evil motive to, or see others assign an evil motive to, one who doesn't believe as we do? Yes, we are to seek sound doctrine, but it isn't our doctrine that saves us, it is the work of messiah that saves/returns us. So, somebody who comes to a different understanding of God than we do may or may not be correct... but our differences shouldn't divide us unless those differences are causing division within our congregations or are causing others to stumble and fall away from God. We are each accountable to God for our own actions and must be allowed to learn, grow, make mistakes and learn from them so that we can ultimately draw closer to God. Giving others the room to grow like that... is mercy. It is something God has extended to us... and is something we need to extend to others!

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Yeah. You're right. I've got to keep that in mind a bit more ... Thanks for that reminder, Ken.

I'm starting to learn something about myself....and that is that I'm apparently not as patient with people as I thought I was. It's something for me to pray about and work on, I guess.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

Ken Rank said:

I honestly think that two of the hardest things to do is extend the mercy God extended to us to others and exemplify His characteristic of patience when dealing with others. We forget that we took a series of steps "over years" to get where we are and must then be willing to accept that others will also need those same "years" (and steps) to get to where they are going in Him. There are no shortcuts.

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Yeah. You're definitely right about that. It's just that in my case, I've always been an inquisitive, philosophically minded person who appreciates the value of balanced research and thinking, so when I encounter people who seem to be recalcitrant in this regard......I feel like doing this: .... and maybe this:

So, I obviously have some additional dimensions of patience I need to consider and apply in my life.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

I agree completely, and I understand why you posted this. What upset me, in a sad way, was how someone could straight up tell you that you are not his brothers in Christ just because your belief differed. That's a terrible thing to say to someone. Anyways, like you said, not everyone believes everything perfectly, but God loved us and accepted us anyways. Plus, when it's all said and done, all brother and sisters in Christ will end up in heaven either way, whether we understand everything perfectly or not. And we all really need to work on loving each other more (an area that I am really learning to grow in ).

God Bless Brother.

2PhiloVoid said:

Yeah. You're definitely right about that. It's just that in my case, I've always been an inquisitive, philosophically minded person who appreciates the value of balanced research and thinking, so when I encounter people who seem to be recalcitrant in this regard......I feel like doing this: .... and maybe this:

So, I obviously have some additional dimensions of patience I need to consider and apply in my life.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

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It's important to note that most people think exactly that about themselves.
Even "those" people.

Ken Rank said:

When one reaches a poor conclusion in their biblical studies, it is rarely a sign of an evil heart. Instead, it is generally a sign of one needing better teaching.

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You are referring to yourself, of course. Not other people.
37 Top Bible Verses About Judging Others

SkyWriting said:

It's important to note that most people think exactly that about themselves.
Even "those" people.

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Yes, that's true! So, as this relates to me in further developing my patience with other people, I'm going to have to remind myself that everyone comes from various situations of academic and social development...and this variance among all of us is a part of how we each hold onto whatever knowledge we think we have and whatever entitlement we each think we have in holding that knowledge.

I just have to admit that I get impatient with people who don't want to learn and grow. And the ironic thing is that this impatience of mine reflects on my own growth (or lack thereof) as a person and as a Christian.

I have a hard time knowing where that 'line' is between being patient and knowing when to perhaps offer admonishment.

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

Ken Rank said:

I might need you to clarify, not 100% sure I understand what you mean. Going on what I think you mean... only God can see the heart and an evil intent is a heart condition. We can see it manifested when one does evil to another (that is easy) but when it comes to doctrine, to a biblical conclusion that might stand opposed to the mainstream or even just our own understanding, we can't necessarily see or perceive evil just because they reached a different conclusion. As long as we have teachers and students, we will have people on different levels of understanding. And until we are perfected, we can't expect perfection. We can expect one to strive for it, but all will be corrected (according to God through Jeremiah) in due course.

We can judge, but not unto condemnation. We can't say, "he doesn't belong to God" as is the case in this other thread I mentioned. We can say, "he has erred" or "he needs correction" or "that situation needs to be addressed," but we can't indict and eternally convict over it... that is God's area.

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As long as you imagine that there are two seperate groups, teachers and students
then your view will remain flawed. Jesus never considered Himself a good teacher.

You didn't provide any passages to say you could judge anything.
Hopefully you got the general message I provided in my passges
- not hand picked. I don't recall any allowing. You'd better be
sure about that because according to every other verse.....its not good.
27 Bible verses about Judging Others - Knowing Jesus

Theadorus said:

I agree completely, and I understand why you posted this. What upset me, in a sad way, was how someone could straight up tell you that you are not his brothers in Christ just because your belief differed. That's a terrible thing to say to someone. Anyways, like you said, not everyone believes everything perfectly, but God loved us and accepted us anyways. Plus, when it's all said and done, all brother and sisters in Christ will end up in heaven either way, whether we understand everything perfectly or not. And we all really need to work on loving each other more (an area that I am really learning to grow in ).

God Bless Brother.

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This depends on so many things. But firstly the word of God.

So if a person claims Christianity..yet does not live or DO the will of the Lord JESUS.. According to the Lord JESUS He cannot be “a brother in the Lord”

For it is JESUS who said who are my mother and brothers , those who do my will pp.

So if a person says they are a Christian ..that is a title they identify with..
But means nothing to me untill thier manner of life and behaviour proves it.
And if it contradicts it..then I'm not to call them brother.

I once was asked to research how Christ-followers were to treat "one another"...i.e. fellow believers in the Body of Christ. I hit the jackpot with one Greek word for "one another".

New Testament (Koine Greek) for " ONE ANOTHER"...
"allelon" ....one another, >reciprocally and mutually<

MEANING: "one another", themselves, yourselves

THEME:
HOW SHOULD the fellowship of BELIEVERS /
Christ-followers in the "Body of Christ" / "CHURCH"relate to "One Another"?

Matthew 24:10...Jesus:...on the Tribulation of the End Times
..."At that time (Tribulation), many (believers) will "fall away" (apostasy) and will betray
ONE ANOTHER and hate ONE ANOTHER...(the BAD NEWS!)

Jesus:...SEE: lesson on "salt" and "light"....Matthew 5:13...[ Disciples and the World ] ...“You are the salt of the earth;

Mark 9:50...Jesus:
...be at peace with ONE ANOTHER...." (the GOOD NEWS!)

>>PAUL...PETER...JOHN...JAMES...advice to the "churches"<<

1 Corinthians 12:25
...so that there may be no divisions in the body (of believers), but that the members may have the same care for ONE ANOTHER...

1 Thessalonians 5:13
...Live in peace with ONE ANOTHER...

Ephesians 4:32
...Be kind to ONE ANOTHER, tender-hearted, forgiving EACH OTHER,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you....

Colossians 3:13
...bearing with ONE ANOTHER, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;
just as the Lord forgave you , so also should you (forgive)....

James 5:16
...confess your sins to ONE ANOTHER, and pray for ONE ANOTHER so that you may be healed.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much....

Galatians 5:13
...through love, serve ONE ANOTHER...

1 Peter 4:10
...As each one has received a special GIFT , employ it in serving ONE ANOTHER
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God....

1 Peter 4:9
...Be hospitable to ONE ANOTHER without complaint....

1 Thessalonians 5:11
...Therefore encourage ONE ANOTHER and build up ONE ANOTHER,...

1 John 3:11,23
...For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love ONE ANOTHER..
...This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and
love ONE ANOTHER, just as He commanded us . (SEE also: John 15: Jesus: "I am the vine; you are the branches.")

1 Peter 4:8
...Above all, keep fervent in your love for ONE ANOTHER, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Hebrews 10:24
...let us consider how to stimulate ONE ANOTHER to love and (to) good deeds....

1 Thessalonians 3:12
...and may the Lord cause you (believers) to increase (in number) and
abound in love for ONE ANOTHER , and for all people, ....

Galatians 6:2
...Bear ONE ANOTHER's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ ... (Love God + Love Neighbor as Self?)

Ephesians 4:2
....with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for ONE ANOTHER in love ....

Philippians 2:3
...Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit , but with humility of mind,
regard ONE ANOTHER as more important than yourselves...

Ephesians 4:25
...Therefore, laying aside falsehood ... SPEAK TRUTH (EACH ONE of you) WITH HIS NEIGHBOR ,
for we are members (parts) of ONE ANOTHER...(don't gossip!!!)

Galatians 5:26
...Let us not become boastful, challenging or ...envying ONE ANOTHER...

1 Thessalonians 5:15
....See that no ONE repays ANOTHER with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for ONE ANOTHER and for all people ....

James 4:11
...Do not speak against ONE ANOTHER, brethren .
He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against ..and judges the Law...